Crabs of the Family Homolodromiidae, VI. <I
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BULLETIN OF MARINE SCIENCE, 68(2): 313–326, 2001 NEW TAXA PAPER CRABS OF THE FAMILY HOMOLODROMIIDAE, VI. HOMOLODROMIA MONSTROSA NEW SPECIES (DECAPODA: BRACHYURA) FROM THE WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC WITH A REDESCRIPTION OF THE HOLOTYPE OF HOMOLODROMIA PARADOXA A. MILNE EDWARDS, 1880 AND COMMENTS ON SEXUAL DIMORPHISM Joel W. Martin, Jennifer C. Christiansen and Sandra E. Trautwein ABSTRACT A new species of the crab genus Homolodromia A. Milne Edwards, H. monstrosa, is described from four specimens collected in the western Atlantic. The collection consists of two females that differ markedly from descriptions of H. paradoxa (the only other member of the genus known from the western Atlantic) and two males that differ only slightly from H. paradoxa. The holotype of Homolodromia paradoxa A. Milne Edwards, a damaged male from the Leeward Islands, Lesser Antilles, Caribbean, is redescribed. Females of the new species differ from H. paradoxa males (apparently there are no known females of H. paradoxa) in their larger size, in the density and type of setation on the carapace and legs, in having smaller eyes relative to the carapace, and in having relatively stouter appendages. Males of the new species are similar in size and general shape to females, but differ markedly from them most notably by lacking the density and type of setation seen in the females; in this regard they are similar to males of H. paradoxa. Males of the new species differ from males of H. paradoxa mostly in the relative size of the eyes, admittedly a character that could change during ontogeny. The question of sexual dimorphism is raised as concerns these two species vs other members of the genus (nota- bly H. robertsi Garth) and members of the other homolodromiid genus, Dicranodromia A. Milne Edwards, for both of which little or no sexual dimorphism is known. The decapod crustacean genus Homolodromia was erected by A. Milne Edwards in 1880 to accommodate a single male crab collected by the U.S. Coast Survey Steamer BLAKE. This holotype, Homolodromia paradoxa A. Milne Edwards, was collected at a depth of 356 fa (651 m) ‘off Nevis’ in the Leeward Islands (Lesser Antilles) of the Carib- bean. Subsequent to Milne Edwards’s paper there have been few additional reports of H. paradoxa (see Guinot, 1995: 191), and only three additional species in the genus have been described: Homolodromia bouvieri Doflein, 1904, from off the coast of Mozambique; H. robertsi Garth, 1973, from the eastern Pacific; and H. kai Guinot, 1993, from Indone- sia and New Caledonia (see Baez and Martin, 1989; Guinot, 1993, 1995). Additionally, one fossil species, H. chaneyi, has been described from the Eocene La Meseta Formation of Antarctica (Feldmann and Wilson, 1988), and another (H. novazealandica) has been described from New Zealand (Feldmann, 1993). Although there are relatively few subsequent reports of H. paradoxa or any other spe- cies in this family (there is but one other genus, Dicranodromia A. Milne Edwards, in the family) from the North Atlantic or Caribbean, several specimens labeled H. paradoxa exist at the U.S. National Museum of Natural History, suggesting that the species is not as rare as the literature indicates. While surveying the homolodromiid crab holdings of the U.S. National Museum in 1989, one of us (J.M.) encountered a lot containing four very 313 314 BULLETIN OF MARINE SCIENCE, VOL. 68, NO. 2, 2001 large specimens of the genus Homolodromia. At least two of these are so different from the holotype that they can not be attributed to H. paradoxa, previously the only known Atlantic species. These specimens, both females, are the basis of a new species described herein. Additionally, two males collected with the females are described as belonging to the new species, although they differ morphologically from the females. Such marked sexual dimorphism has not been recorded previously for this family. Interpretations of these morphologies are presented. MATERIALS AND METHODS The two female and two male homolodromiid crabs that form the basis of this report were col- lected by the RV OREGON II, sta. 10824, 07°42'N, 053°49'W (approximately 250 km NW of Paramaribo, Surinam, and 500 km ENE of Georgetown [Demerara], Guyana), western Atlantic Ocean, at a depth of 345 fa (631 m) on 27 November 1969. These were originally labeled H. paradoxa. In addition, two other male specimens were examined. One of these (USNM 310892, MV OREGON, sta. 3635, 16°58'N, 087˚53'W, approximately 20 mi due E of Stann Creek, Belize, western North Atlantic Ocean, depth 250–400 fa, 457–732 m) was labeled H. paradoxa, and the other (USNM 310891, RV OREGON II, sta. 10831, 17˚38'N, 063˚48'W, W of Saba Island, western North Atlantic Ocean, depth 356 fa, (651 m) was not labeled. The holotype male (MCZ 6512) of H. paradoxa A. Milne Edwards was borrowed from the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts. SYSTEMATICS Family Homolodromiidae Alcock, 1900 Genus Homolodromia A. Milne Edwards, 1880 Homolodromia paradoxa A. Milne Edwards, 1880 (Figs. 1–3) Synonymy.—See Guinot, 1995: 191. Not Homolodromia paradoxa Takeda and Okutani, 1983: 112, photographs (= H. monstrosa new species, described herein). Material Examined.—Holotype, MCZ 6512, male, carapace length 15.7 mm (exclud- ing rostral horns), 356 fa (651 m), ‘off Nevis’, Leeward Islands, Lesser Antilles, Carib- bean. Description.—Male holotype carapace length 15.7 mm; other selected measurements given in Table 1. Carapace (Figs. 1,2).—Inflated, more or less cylindrical in cross section. Surface smooth to minutely granulate. Scattered simple setae especially on the anterior and anterolateral regions, becoming smooth posteriorly. Rostral horns large, well developed, slightly longer and broader than anterolateral teeth. Small sharp tooth located between anterolateral tooth and rostral horn, above eyestalk in dorsal view (Fig. 2C). Minute spines and tubercles visible at higher magnification on carapace, anterolateral teeth, and rostral horns (e.g., Fig. 2B). Carapace roughly divisible into thirds by weak transverse grooves; posterior third the widest and most inflated region. Third Maxilliped (Fig. 3A).—Well developed, pediform, heavily covered with small spines (especially on outer margins) and simple setae. MARTIN ET AL.: NEW HOMOLODROMIA FROM WESTERN ATLANTIC 315 Figure 1. Homolodromia paradoxa A. Milne Edwards, 1880, male holotype (MCZ 6512), carapace, eyes, and antennae (see also Fig. 2A). Note sparse covering of simple setae, and relatively large and well pigmented eye. Chelipeds (Fig. 3B–D).—Long, slender, sparsely covered with simple setae and occa- sional granules. Dactylus falls between tips of bifurcated propodus. Length of propodus (including fixed finger) approximately 4.2 times greatest height (measured at midlength). Fixed finger deflected downward at point where it joins palm. Carpus bearing strong, sharp laterally-directed spine near distal border, most obvious in dorsal view (Fig. 3D). Pereiopods 2 and 3 (Fig. 3E).—Elongate, with sparse covering of small spines and simple setae. Dactylus gently curved, with curve more pronounced in distal half, and with numerous short, sharp spines and short setae. Pereiopods 4 and 5 (Fig. 3F,G).—Both subchelate, with dactylus closing against and into a circlet of spines on propodal ‘thumb’. P4 and P5 oriented in opposite directions (rotated during development), with dactylus directed posteriorly in P4 but anteriorly in P5 (Figs. 3F,G). Pereiopod 4 with 5 or 6 spines on propodal thumb and with propodus 316 BULLETIN OF MARINE SCIENCE, VOL. 68, NO. 2, 2001 Figure 2. Homolodromia paradoxa A. Milne Edwards, 1880, male holotype (MCZ 6512). Selected aspects of the carapace, eyes, and antennae. a, carapace, dorsal view; b, left side of frontal region, including anterior third of carapace, eye, and antennae; c, dorsal view of right rostral horn, anterolateral tooth, eye, and base of antenna; d, frontal view of left orbit, both antenna removed (hatched areas); e, ventral view of rostral horns, bases of antennules, and left antenna and eye. shorter relative to width than in pereiopod 5 (compare Figs. 3F,G). Merus of pereiopod 4 with large, acute dorsodistal tooth. Pereiopod 5 with at least 8 sharp, sclerotized spines on propodal thumb opposing dactylus and another 2 or 3 at base of dactylus. Dactylus strongly curved, sclerotized in distal half, and with smaller spines along ‘cutting’ edge. Male Pleopods (Fig. 3I,J).—First pleopod stout, bearing simple setae along entire length and tufts of longer setae distally, with narrow groove on anterior face to accommodate MARTIN ET AL.: NEW HOMOLODROMIA FROM WESTERN ATLANTIC 317 Figure 3. Homolodromia paradoxa A. Milne Edwards, 1880, male holotype (MCZ 6512). Selected appendages. a, third left maxilliped, outer view; b, right cheliped, frontal view of dactylus (with broken tip), propodus, and distal border of carpus with carpal spine directed outward; c, distal half of right chela, inner view; d, carpus of right chela, dorsal view; e, left pereiopod 2, anterior (functionally ventral) side, tip of dactylus broken; f, right pereiopod 4, posterior (dorsal) surface, with dactylus and propodal ‘thumb’ enlarged at right; g, right pereiopod 5, posterior (dorsal) surface, with dactylus and propodal ‘thumb’ enlarged at right; h, telson; i, distal two segments of first pleopod; j, second pleopod. 318 BULLETIN OF MARINE SCIENCE, VOL. 68, NO. 2, 2001 Table 1. Comparison of measurements of selected features of the holotypes of Homolodromia paradoxa (male) and H. monstrosa (female) (USNM 310889) and the photographed male H. monstrosa (USNM 310890) (Fig. 6). All measurements are in mm. Ha. paradoxa H. monstros MeCZ 6512 Hdolotyp Photographe feemale mal Carapace length* 155.7 365. 38. Carapace width** 142.4 352. 33. R1ostral horns 22. 27. 3. (distance between tips) A7L teeth of carapace 161. 223. 28. (distance between tips) Right Cheliped: L7ength of dactylus 5. *** 182.2 14. L7ength of propodus 171.